Depression decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for tension headaches, as it requires clarification on whether the Veteran's headaches are caused by or aggravated by his major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with verifying in-service stressors and obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is also under review.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in diagnoses and lack of thorough review of evidence. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD and for a TDIU, due to outstanding VA and private treatment records needing to be associated with the case file. The Veteran was also provided an opportunity to submit additional evidence regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and a need for a new VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and left knee conditions are rated, but her mental health disorders require further examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. Specifically, they need to obtain additional information about VA audiology records related to bilateral hearing loss and provide an addendum opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct and is presumed to have occurred in the line of duty. The Board has granted DIC benefits based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and schizophrenia, is related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of Major Depressive Disorder is denied, and his claim for a higher evaluation for Major Depressive Disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for fibromyalgia and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran also failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection of the low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is considered part of his reopened claim for a nervous condition.

A 50 percent rating for major depressive disorder with alcohol dependence in remission and generalized anxiety disorder is granted from January 16, 2010 to November 7, 2015.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD was granted a 70% evaluation prior to December 9, 2019. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 70% is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's in-service stressors and current psychiatric diagnoses. The VA will verify the Veteran's claimed stressors, obtain any relevant treatment records, and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on the relationship between his service and his acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment from July 20, 2012 to October 19, 2012. The Board granted the claim for an extraschedular total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) effective July 20, 2012.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from December 12, 2018 to April 6, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for major depressive disorder and entitlement to a Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 12, 2009 are dismissed due to the Veteran opting-in to the modernized appeal system.